Match report: Reading 1 PNE 0

Preston North End's play-off hopes were dealt a potentially fatal blow as they were beaten by Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

It was their third defeat on the bounce, Mo Barrow's 12th minute header settling the contest in the Royals' favour.

Alan Browne evades a challenge

North End struck the woodwork twice, Louis Moult hitting the post with a free-kick shortly after Reading had taken the lead and substitute Sean Maguire headed against the bar in the second half.

Alex Neil's men bossed the second half but too often the final pass or cross didn't reach its intended target.

The goal they conceded was a poor one, Barrow losing his man at the far post to meet a Liam Kelly free-kick which had been flicked on.

That was Reading's only effort on target of the game, that a clinical approach Preston can only dream about at the moment.

Alan Browne lets fly with a shot

Defeat dropped them down to 11th place - the position they have finished in two seasons on the bounce - and PNE are now six points off the play-off pace with only five games to go.

A top-six finish is looking a fading dream, their fortunes having dipped since the international break.

North End's side had shown three changes from the Easter Monday defeat to Derby, Declan Rudd, Billy Bodin and Moult all recalled to the starting XI with Chris Maxwell, Paul Gallagher and Maguire dropping to the bench.

Rudd's inclusion meant another change between the posts - him and Maxwell have been swapped and switched four games running now.

Reading celebrate their winner against PNE

PNE lined-up in a 4-2-3-1, Moult leading the attack with Callum Robinson behind him in the No.10 position.

It must be said that they started shakily, Paul Huntington conceding a free-kick down Reading's right channel after bringing down Sone Aluko inside the first minute.

But the visitors went close to opening the scoring in the third minute, Bodin cutting inside from the right flank and hitting a left-foot shot which keeper Vito Mannone dived to parry - the rebound hitting Moult and bouncing wide.